Winnie N Ye

Winnie Ye is a renowned researcher, educator, and leader in the field of photonics, currently serving as a Full Professor in the Department of Electronics at Carleton University. She is a Fellow of Optica and the Engineering Institute of Canada, reflecting her outstanding contributions to science and engineering. From 2009 to 2021, Dr. Ye held the prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Nano-scale IC Design for Reliable Opto-Electronics and Sensors. Her expertise lies in silicon photonics, with diverse applications in telecommunications, data communication, biophotonics, and renewable energy.

Ye completed her B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering at Carleton University before pursuing advanced studies in photonics, earning her MASc and PhD degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto and Carleton University, respectively. Following her doctoral studies, she joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University as an NSERC postdoctoral fellow. In 2009, she returned to Carleton University to continue her academic and research career.

Ye’s groundbreaking work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the 2021 IEEE MGA Leadership Award, the 2020 Partners in Research National Technology and Engineering Ambassador Award, and the 2018 IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Inspiring Member Award. Her commitment to mentoring and education has also been recognized with the 2022 Carleton University Graduate Mentoring Award and the 2019 Provost’s Fellowship in Teaching Award.

Beyond her research and teaching,  Ye has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of photonics, serving as Chair of Optica’s Photonics and Opto-Electronics Technical Division (2021–2023). She is also the Chair of IEEE Women in Engineering for 2025-2026 and an elected member of the Board of Governors of the IEEE Photonics Society. Her leadership and contributions continue to shape the future of photonics and engineering worldwide.

In 2025, she received the Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award, “For significantly advancing the optics and photonics community through her leadership in organizing international conferences, promoting diversity, and mentoring the next generation of photonics professionals and leaders.”